A & B For Backyard?

9 years ago

Saw this comment in another thread: "Backyard growers do not need an a and a b to get plenty of fruit."

I'm in Phoenix so the odds are VERY slim that there are any other avocado trees in my neighborhood. Do I in fact NOT need both an A and a B tree? Would like to understand, as I've always heard/read that I need both to get fruit. Thanks (Tim)!

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Nick (9b) Modesto Area

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

I have a Wurtz that at the time of purchase was 6 feet. That year no fruit. I acquired a Mexicola type A and both trees had fruit the following year. The nursery I purchased them from was really surprised I was able to get fruit from such young tress in containers. I told them what I did and now they recommend both a and b trees to customers who want fruit at an earlier stage. I'm no expert but it worked for me. I've also purchased another 6 trees that will also remain in containers. All of them are starting to flower or are just about to within the next few weeks. I have in addition to the above trees a Bacon, Fuerte, Hass, Holiday, Pinkerton and Stuart/Stewart.

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Comments (7)

Tim Walker
9 years ago
A and b are for commercial growers. A single tree will give you way more fruit than you could ever eat. Also, learn about compost tea. It will really improve the health and taste of the fruit.
cwlucking
Original Author
9 years ago
I am familiar with compost tea, thanks. So, what do you mean "A and B are for commercial growers"? It sounds like you're saying that avocados are self fertile, but produce a larger crop if exposed to pollen from an opposite-gender tree?
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Tim Walker
9 years ago
Commercial growers have will have so many b trees for so many a trees. It increases their yield. In socal most commercial growers have hass trees.

Trees are self fertile. I would give you a pic but I had to start over with a new tree.

my new tree is just now flowering for next years crop.
Kevin Reilly
9 years ago
Nick I'm guessing that was a coincidence. Sometimes trees need a couple of years before they fruit. As mentioned before avocados are self fertile but having an a/b nearby can increase yields 15-20%, much like blueberries are self fertile but will have higher yields with cross pollination.
Cori Ann - H0uzz violated my privacy
9 years ago
Nick I already had 2 Mexicolas (type A) doing well in containers and starting to flower... but then I read your post, saw your photos, and saw a really nice Bacon avocado (type B) covered in flowers at a local nursery! I decided to get that one too! I'm going to try to keep them all in containers and about 8 feet... just like you are trying. Before reading your post I was pretty discouraged by others. Others say it can't be done, they won't fruit, yadda yadda yadda, but it's encouraging to see yours fruiting and doing well! Even though you're no expert (Im no expert either), I really appreciate you sharing your experiences and photos of your garden in other posts. Thank you!
tucsonken
9 years ago
According to UC Riverside (http://www.ucavo.ucr.edu/Flowering/RemarkableFlower.html), when day/night temperatures average less than 70º F the flowering cycle "become(s) irregular, so that a single tree may have flowers in both female and male stages at the same time. This helps to explain how large blocks of just one variety sometimes set heavy crops."

I have an avocado that set fruit just fine without a second tree for pollination.